Milkmen could deliver mail

Milkmen and supermarket employees could collect and deliver
letters under proposals to introduce competition into postal services.

A consultation document published by industry regulator
Postcomm argues that users could receive clear benefits from opening up the
market.

The document states that businesses such as newspaper
distributors, freight operators, milk delivery firms and supermarkets could be
licensed to convey mail as an extension of their core activities.

But Derek Hodgson, of the Communication Workers Union,
thinks the proposal was unworkable.

He said, “Post cannot be delivered by part-time people
wandering the streets. The service relies on trust and professionalism. The
regulator appears to have little idea of how to run a postal service.”

A Consignia spokesman said the company would study the
consultation document before making a detailed response later this summer.